Letters / Put it to sleep
On 15 November you write (No cash from Viking until 2020):
“Trust vice chairman Jonathan Wills told fellow trustees that it would be 2020 before the 103 turbine development in central Shetland generated a sizable income.
“This week Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) told MSPs at Holyrood that they were reviewing the planned interconnector in view of rising costs.
“Just last week SSE subsidiary Scottish Hydro Electric announced a 12 month delay and 75 per cent increase in costs for a proposed cable to Lewis, leading to calls for an inquiry.”
In view of the above and as Viking Energy expected to be up and running by 2017 (http://www.vikingenergy.co.uk/project-timeline.asp) it is now clear this project will make not one penny before 2020 at the earliest.
However millions of pounds will need to be found extra for the lairds and crofters by way of rent; millions of pounds will need to be paid to the banks and financial backers by way of interest.
None of these funds will come from central funds, all will have to be found from the charitable trust.
Is it not about time this white elephant was put to sleep?
Ian Tinkler
Flawton
Clousta
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